COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO 2015

JULY 9–12, 2015

San Diego Convention Center

Important Information Regarding Programs
and Autographs at
Comic-Con International

All event and program rooms have limited capacity as set by the Fire Marshal. Even though your badge is needed to get into all events, it does not guarantee you access to any event if it has reached its capacity. We do not clear rooms between events. Most autograph signings are of a limited nature. Your badge does not guarantee autographs at any event.

Professional FAQ

The Comic-Con International 2015 PROFESSIONAL APPLICATION PERIOD is now CLOSED. If you have been approved as a professional, or if your Comic-Con 2015 professional verification status is NOT DUE, we strongly suggest that you read the 2015 Professional Badge Regsitration Information regarding important changes to the online badge registration process.

How do I sign up for a Member ID?

I already have a valid Member ID, but I have never attended as a professional. How does my Member ID change from an attendee member class to a professional member class?

If you have already submitted an application, your member class will change to a professional member class if you are approved. You do not need to sign up for a new Member ID if you already have one. Your existing ID will automatically change to a professional member class once you are approved. If you have not already submitted an application, you will not be eligible to register as a professional for Comic-Con 2014.

How do I apply as a professional?

The Comic-Con 2015 professional application period is now closed.

Can I fax my professional application and verification materials?

No. All applications and materials must be sent via email or post mail.

Do all qualifying professionals get a badge?

The number of professional badges is limited. Professionals may register until the professional capacity limit has been reached. After that, no additional professional badges will be issued.

Who qualifies as a professional at Comic-Con?

Comic-Con International and WonderCon Anaheim welcome professionals and executives in the comic book, book publishing, animation, film, television, gaming, and related industries. ("Related" refers to those who produce material based on comic book, graphic novel, comic strip, animation, or fantasy/sci-fi properties.)

Professional registration has two badge categories:

The Creative Professional Badge

The creative professional badge is a complimentary badge offered to professionals who take an active role in the creation, design, writing, editing, or production of comics, animation, films, books, video games, or toys. Job titles might include writer, artist, penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, animator, designer, sculptor, editor, publisher, producer, actor, etc. This category includes retired career professionals from comics and related popular arts field. The creative professional badge is also extended to those responsible for the content of websites that promote the historic or ongoing contribution of comics to art or society.

Unfortunately, we cannot extend complimentary professional badges to support staff, including sales, marketing, accounting, managers, testers, analysts, administrative staff, IT, facilities, operations, and others who are not directly involved in the creative process.

The Trade Professional Badge

The trade professional badge is offered to agents, publicists, managers, executives, marketing, sales, business development, executive producers, advertising, legal representatives, and other industry professionals who need to attend the convention for business reasons. Comic-Con trade professional badges are available for purchase to those who do not qualify as a creative professional.

Creative professional and trade professional badges are limited, and not all applicants who meet the guidelines can be accommodated. Professional verification and approval is ultimately at the discretion of Comic-Con International.

How do I indicate whether I am applying as a creative professional or trade professional?

You do not need to specify which type of professional you are applying as because there is only one professional application. Comic-Con's verification team will make the determination and notify you after reviewing your application and verification materials.

Why do I need to send in my verification materials?

As a nonprofit organization, Comic-Con International is able to provide a professional badge to individuals who meet the published guidelines and who provide verification materials of qualifying artistic credits or proof of employment with qualified job titles.

I am a well-known comic professional. Why do I need to send proof of my work in the industry?

Comic-Con International processes over 12,000 professional applications every year. With this kind of volume, we need to employ temporary staff that may not necessarily be familiar with your personal credits.

How often do I need to send verification materials?

Comic-Con International requires that all professionals resubmit verification materials every three years with continued qualifying work.

I am either a first-time applicant or it is time for me to submit my verification materials. What should I submit?

Because Comic-Con International gets so many applications to attend Comic-Con as a professional, we ask that applicants supply verification materials as proof of occupation in the industry. Verification materials can include credited or uncredited work. If the work is uncredited, both proof of employment and job title. If you are not sure exactly what to submit, send information that verifies your qualifying job title, position or type of work. Here are some suggestions to help you. Your own verification documents may not be these exact documents, but use these examples and suggestions as a starting point:

For credited work:

If your work appears with credits, please circle where your name is credited, and mark the page clearly so we can easily locate your credits. Do not send a URL or link. You must print the webpage and circle your name. You can submit an original or a photocopy of the credits page, a sample of the work, a screen capture; photocopies of SAG, Writers Guild, or Directors Guild cards; end credits of a game, freelance contracts, proof of membership in the National Cartoonists Society or CAPS, or a printed-out webpage such as IMDB, MobyGames, etc. that clearly displays your name and title as an artist. Photocopies must be readable or your application will be returned.

For uncredited work:

Please submit two forms of verification that show your job title and the company you work for. These may include a business card AND an employee badge, a printout of your company webpage listing you as a principal or executive of the company, or a letter from the company stating your name and your job title as an artist or company executive. If your job title does not clearly explain the work and how it qualifies for a professional badge, include a detailed description of your work. If your job title, position, or type of work would normally fall in the credited work category, submit your credits, or an explanation why you are not submitting credits.

What if I cannot provide verification materials supporting my work in the industry?

If you cannot, or choose not to, provide the required verification materials, we suggest you purchase a badge through general attendee registration. Your application as a professional cannot be processed if you do not provide verification of your work as a professional in the comics or related popular arts. Listing your work projects on your application is not considered verification. You must submit qualifying verification materials to support the projects on your application.

When will I receive a response to my application?

All applications are processed in the order in which they are received. If you have submitted a 2015 Comic-Con and WonderCon Anaheim Professional Application, please allow 6 weeks for processing. If you have any questions regarding your application, please email proreg@comic-con.org.

I sent in my application and was approved for Comic-Con 2015. Now what?

Once you are verified and approved, you will be notified before EPIC Online Professional Registration opens via the email that is linked to your Member ID account. Please check your email frequently for this notification. For important information regarding changes to the online professional badge registration process, please click here. We also suggest that you log in to your Member ID account and confirm that you did not opt-out of email correspondence. This information is found in the "Change My Preferences/Unsubscribe" section once you have logged in.

May I bring guests?

Each approved professional will have the opportunity to register online for his or her own badge, as well as one complimentary guest badge and one paid guest badge, while supplies of each badge type are available. Badges of all types are limited, and verified professionals are not guaranteed to receive a badge or guest badges. For more information on online professional badge registration, please click here.

I missed the October 31, 2014 professional application deadline. What can I do?

Because of the high volume of applicants, applications and materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Will onsite registration be available?

There will be NO onsite registration for professionals or guests.

MISSION STATEMENT
Comic-Con International: San Diego is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.